9 Best Private Islands

1) The Brando, French Polynesia

This cluster of tiny Tahitian islands was Marlon Brando's
personal retreat for more than three decades is now an exclusive
eco-hideaway. You'll snorkel, you'll paddleboard, you'll wade
through sparkling shallows to the spa island. Then there's the
wildlife: turtles, dolphins, whales and a whole rainforest to
explore. So peaceful you won't need to speak to anyone, not even
your partner.

Turquoise Holidays (01494 678 400) offers five
nights, full board, from £8,395 per person, including some
activities and spa treatments, return flights and internal air
transfers.

2) One&Only Hayman Island,
Australia

Arrive by private yacht and spill out onto your front row view
of the Great Barrier Reef. This private island resort recently had
a ginormous facelift and looks lean, mean and 10 years younger,
plus it's now part of the One&Only group so expect a few
whistles and a lot of bells. Spend your days swooshing around the
psychedelic reef, shoulder-to-gill with rainbow-coloured fish and
taking heavenly massages on floating beds in the sea. Yes,
really.

3) Amilla Fushi, Maldives

Slap bang in the middle of the UNESCO reserve Baa Atoll in the
Maldives, Amilla Fushi is the sort of barefoot, desert-island
experience that will leave you a little bit gobsmacked. There are
treetop villas, a cracking spa and the BIGGEST infinity pool in the
Maldives.

4) Koh Munnork, Thailand

Surrounded by gleaming white sand and with a glossy green
forest, this private island is three hours from busy-busy Bangkok,
and, thankfully, miles from the gap yahs who trek to Ko Samet and
Ko Chang. Go swimming in the bay, fishing out at sea or spy on the
island's pretty peacock population.

5) North Island, Seychelles

We'll hazard a guess you've heard of North Island. You know, the
place in the Seychelles where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
honeymooned while the whole world turned a bit green with envy?
Yup, that place. It's just had a revamp and now looks even more
divine. There are endless beaches and acres of forest to explore -
and you might not bump into a single soul. But there are the other
guests: GIANT tortoises, fruit bats the size of badgers and
hundreds of tropical birds. Where the wild things are, and we're
(obviously) not talking about Kate and Wills.

6) Tagomago Island, Ibiza

You think of Ibiza and you think of a right old racket. True?
WRONG - if you come to Tagomago Island, that is. It's one of the
very few private islands in the Med and only a five-minute boat
ride away from mainland Ibiza. Stuff it with your friends (the
villa sleeps 10) and do as little or as much as you want. Plus the
on-site crack team - chef, butler, cleaners - will make sure your
every whim is catered for.

Tagomago Island, from Euros 100,000 per week
(around £80,000) incl. full service and full board.

7) Torsa Island, Scotland

This might not be in the Indian Ocean, and it might not require
a string bikini and not much else, but it's hard not to fall
head-over-heels for Torsa, a bonny wildlife oasis 16 miles south of
Scotland's Oban. You'll be alone, all alone. Just you and
your white stone cottage, surrounded by the rolling green hills and
the wild Atlantic. Venture out in your rib for some
dolphin-spotting, cycle everywhere, go on endless hikes or simply
flop. A clever combo of close-to-home and far-flung.

8) Eagle Island, Georgia

A private island in the Deep South, you ask? Say hello to Eagle
Island, one of the eight privately-owned islands on the salt
marshes of the Darien River in Georgia. You'll love Eagle Lodge,
the 12-person cabin with its hot tub, swanky kitchens (one indoor,
one outdoor, in case you wondered), crab traps to catch your supper
and a fire pit. One for when the sprogs are in tow.

9) Laucala Island, Fiji

If you like the idea of being king of the jungle, Laucala Island
is the real deal. There are only 25 villas nestled among the 3,200
acres of lush green mountains, twinkling lagoons and coconut
plantations. Imagine the Garden of Eden, because this is the
closest thing to it. If you're the sort who likes to do stuff,
there's heaps to keep you occupied - game fishing, trekking through
the rainforest on horseback, golf and a visit to the island's very
own farm.